Goofy nature suits Gilbert

Posted: Thursday, February 26, 2009

By Jeff Cochran

Like most teenagers, East Jackson senior Kolby Gilbert can suffer from different moods.

Having worked with the power forward for two years, East Jackson coach Brian Turner has seen Gilbert sweep from one extreme to the other - from jovial and smiling to frustrated and clenching his teeth.

"There's no telling," Turner said with a chuckle. "Sometimes he's as goofy as anyone around. Sometimes he's as mad as anyone around. That is what makes him who he is."

Turner knows which mood he would like to see his star player in Saturday when the Eagles travel to Coosa to play in their first state tournament game.

"Goofy is when he's at his best," Turner said.

Gilbert must have spent most of his senior season in a good mood, leading the Eagles to their first appearance in the Class AA state playoffs and a third-place finish in Region 8-AA in the school's second year of existence.

He is averaging 18.7 and 9.3 rebounds per game. Add in 2.5 blocks and two steals per game and Gilbert is one of the most versatile players on the court. He can shoot from outside (40 percent from 3-point range) and inside (50 percent from the floor).

Even Gilbert notices a difference in his play and statistics when he has a smile on his face.

"It is all determined by how I come to the gym, how I wake up in the morning," Gilbert said. "When I'm in a good mood, people can be talking trash and I can just brush it off. I'm having fun, starting conversations with the other team."

The senior has suffered from the reverse in a couple of notable games that stick out to him.

In a 59-52 loss to Riverside Military in the Region 8-AA tournament semifinals, Gilbert said he came into the game with no energy and in a bad mood.

He felt the same against rival Jefferson on Feb. 7, also a loss. The loss to the Dragons, East Jackson's second of the season, might have hurt a little bit worse. In those games, Jefferson was successful in shadowing Gilbert and containing him.

"Most people try to key on him, and it doesn't always work," Turner said, adding that Gilbert's ability to shoot outside makes it a tough task. "(The Dragons) were able to do it and get away with it."

Gilbert played his first two seasons at Jefferson before joining East Jackson in his junior year and the school's first year.

"It was probably the best decision I've ever made," Gilbert said. "There were a lot of people doubting me, saying I wouldn't be able to make it here, that we wouldn't be able to win. I'm fine where I'm at."

Playing at East Jackson has allowed Gilbert to grow into a team leader and into a better basketball player.

Turner said that the biggest difference between Gilbert as a junior and Gilbert as a senior has been maturity.

"He is a lot more mature and that has really helped him," Turner said. "He really stepped into that leader role. That took place this summer at camp. He really became the team leader then."

Like Gilbert, the Eagles have grown quickly into impressive form.

It did not take East Jackson long to keep pace with schools that were decades older. The Eagles were just three points shy of a state tournament berth in their first season, falling to North Oconee in double overtime.

The Eagles went 18-10 that season and are 15-13 this season. Back-to-back winning seasons and a state tournament berth in a school's first two seasons is a rare feat.

"It's a big accomplishment," Gilbert said. "It usually takes a team a few years to progress."

Turner has been pleased, but not surprised, with his team's rapid success.

"They felt like they belonged in the state tournament last year," the coach said. "(Gilbert) had a large part of it, but I think a larger part goes to the kids in the program. ... I knew we were going to be talented enough to be a good basketball team."

Also helpful to the Eagles' growth has been the community support. Turner said that the team sold 120 playoff T-shirts in two days and expects a good crowd following them to Coosa on Saturday.

"There is a lot of anticipation," he said.

The anticipation is also building for Gilbert, whose high school career could be at the end every time the Eagles take the court from here on out.

"I think about it before every game," Gilbert said. "It makes me nervous and pumped up."

He also knows that his plans on Friday night might determine how he plays on Saturday.

"I guess I'll just hang out with friends," he said, "make a few jokes."